'Do-nothing' Congress? More like 'wasted-time'

By Lisa Desjardins, CNN Capitol Hill Reporter

Updated 1:15 PM ET, Sat December 21, 2013

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More popular than Congress – According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans consider car salesmen to be more honest and ethical than members of Congress. Only 8% of Americans said members of Congress have "high" or "very high" standards when it comes to honesty and ethics. Car salesmen got 9% in the same poll. Click through to see how Congress stacks up to other professions and some of our least favorite things.

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More popular than Congress – Lawyers: This Gallup poll stings -- 20% of people rated lawyers highly ethical? Sorry, the poll doesn't ask why. (Photo from the film "My Cousin Vinny")

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More popular than Congress – TV reporters: TV reporters, like the one played here by actress Courteney Cox in the movie "Scream," do much better than Congress in the poll, as 22% of Americans praised their ethics as being "high" or "very high." But that's nothing compared with nurses (82%) and grade-school teachers (70%).

More popular than Congress – Saving money: Gallup found that, by nearly a 2-to-1 margin, Americans would rather save their money than spend it. With 62% of people agreeing that they would rather forgo a nice dinner out or a new pair of shoes, Congress doesn't even come close to personal frugality.

More popular than Congress – Taxes:Nearly half of Americans -- 45% -- say the amount of income taxes they pay are "about right," not too high or too low, according to a Gallup poll.

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More popular than Congress – Being uninsured: After the implementation of Obamacare, 28% of people would rather remain uninsured and pay a fine than purchase health insurance, according to Gallup. Remember when Congress had a 28% approval rating? We don't. But we know those were the days.

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More popular than Congress – Cockroaches: Words spoken by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: "Congress is finishing this year less popular than a cockroach." A polling question actually asked people if they have a higher opinion of Congress or cockroaches. And people thought higher of cockroaches.

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More popular than Congress – Not lobbyists: Lobbyists, like the one played here by actor Aaron Eckhart in the film "Thank You for Smoking," are actually less popular than Congress. In the Gallup poll, only 6% of people rated lobbyists as having "high" or "very high" standards when it comes to honesty and ethics. Lobbying is the career many lawmakers choose after retiring from Congress.

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Story highlights

Congress spent more time in office this year but got less done

Some Republicans argue that it's number of bad bills stopped that shows effectiveness

"It's been getting worse and worse every year," veteran Democrat says

Long-time Republican says, "I think we've been working less"

Congress set off for a two-week recess Friday, flying out of Washington under a dark cloud: the "Do-nothing" label. But that term is too easy. If you take a closer look, it turns out the better fit may be the "wasted-time" Congress.

The terms "do-nothing" and "Congress" may be so cemented together that the phrase no longer tells us much. At the moment, it may sound redundant.

In 2013, Congress spent more time at the office but got less done with it than at any time in recent history.

How much got done?

Let's start there. There are many measures of congressional activity, but one has sparked the "do-nothing" label: Bills passed.

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"It's a lot of wasted time," Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, told CNN, her frustrated tone at odds with her bright holiday red sweater. " Ridiculous... It's exhausting... It's been getting worse and worse every year. Exponentially. There are so many issues we could be dealing with, and we're so discouraged."

This is perhaps the greatest area of bipartisan agreement: Congress is in Washington, but doing less.

"I think we've been working less, to be honest with you," Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said as he left the last Senate vote of the year.

When asked about the increased hours in the Senate, he was quick to respond, "The number of hours doing nothing? Yes, absolutely."

There is a pervasive sense of frustration mixed with no clear path toward a better, more able Congress.

"I think a majority of the members are trying... and hope that getting back to where the Congress does its job is just right around the next corner," said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, who previously served as the Republican whip in the House. He lowered is voice. "And we keep turning that corner and finding out we're not there yet. And that's frustrating."

It is a combination of doing relatively little, but taking an enormous amount of time doing it.